MoI money sometimes reaches rebels

KABUL (Pajhwok): Funds allocated to some Ministry of Interior (MoI)’s departments sometimes ended up in the hands of insurgents due to the widespread administrative graft, the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) said on Tuesday.

MoI officials say 65 high-ranking officials of the ministry were referred to judicial organs last year alone as part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

Speaking at a seminar at the MoI, EUPOL head in Kabul Pia Stjernvall said corruption was a major issue for the Afghan people and their government.

“Corruption hurts people’s trust as money allocated to departments ends up in wrong hands and used it against Afghanistan interest,” she added.

“Sometimes this money goes to insurgents, who use it against security forces,” she continued, adding that EUPOL was committed to helping Afghan police.

Noorul Haq Ulumi, the Minister of Interior, said there were shortcomings at MoI and said it was the duty of police to tackle corruption and insecurity. “The public should never complain about insecurity and corruption.”